We were all shocked and saddened when two-time Daytime Emmy winner Chandler Massey announced he was leaving Days Of Our Lives, and even more shocked and saddened when we learned his last official day on set was last Friday, months before he was scheduled to leave.

Now, our shock and sadness may turn to anger and pins-in-voodoo-dolls, as we learn more about his unexpected departure. TV Guide is reporting that Chandler’s last day was not as “mutual” as we were led to believe:

Two-time Emmy winner Chandler Massey filmed his final scenes as Days of Our Lives’ gay heartthrob Will Horton on Friday, Aug. 23 — only he didn’t know they were his last until he was summoned at the end of his work day to the office of Greg Meng, the soap’s co-executive producer. During this meeting, Meng informed Massey, who had been planning to depart the NBC soap when his contract expired in December, that he would have to leave immediately because a replacement had already been hired. Massey exited the studio sans fanfare — no farewell party, no goodbyes, no nothing — and sources close to the young actor say he was devastated and in tears.

Rage Starts Welling. What a crummy thing to do to someone who has been so instrumental in breathing new life into a creaky show.

TV Guide also reports that it may have been payback from TPTB for Chandler blindsiding them when he announced at the Emmy Awards that he was probably leaving. And taking the high road, Chandler says he didn’t want a big ta-do anyway:

“Even if I’d left the way I thought I would, a party was never on the table. I don’t like that sort of thing. I never want any fuss. But I’m going to miss everyone like crazy. I had so many incredible mentors at the show and made so many great friends.”

But the most eye-opening part of the article to me was this throwaway line:

In Days’ defense, Massey’s character — who will eventually enter into a romantic triangle — is just too crucial.